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We are happy to announce that our Rabi News Service is now up and running and coming to us again direct from Rabi. We would like to welcom and our new local correspondent - Biara Touakin. We now have a limited email connection with Rabi and the beginnings of our first direct news service from the island since 1997 and the efforts of our past correspondent - Kaiea Bakanebo who worked using transferred fax messages and the slow mail service.

A big 'ko raba' to Biara and it is great to be able to hear news from back home and even receive photographs. If you have any new items you would like to share please email: Ken or Stacey atadmin@banaban.com. Photos are also welcome.

RABI NEWS UPDATE

News Date Issue 5 Sept 2006

by Rabi Correspondent Biara Touakin

OPENING OF RABI ICE PLANT BY BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER:

Here are pictures that were taken during the opening of the Ice plant on Rabi, Wednesday 5f September 2006. This project was funded by the British High Commission.

The British High Commissioner came over to open the ice plant and he was accompanied by his secretary and project officer.

The District Officer Tukavesi came along with them. The young Banabans from the Banaban Primary School entertained the delegation

with traditional dances.

They also visited the Rabi Health Centre and the Rabi High School before they left at 3.00pm that same day.

About more than 500 people from all villages came to witness the opening ceremony.

MARINE REACH FIJI VISIT RABI AND OFFERING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE:

Also on the 28th August a missionary team from "marine reach Fiji" came to the island to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and also offering medical assistance to the people on skin diseases and other medical needs. They met more than 400 patients in their two weeks visit. They were camping at the Pentecostal Church in Nadoi. For more information on this you may visit their website http://www.marinereachfiji.comand contact Barry. Unfortunately, I don't have any digital camera to take photos these pictures are copied from visitors' camera.

Also I have visitedAbara Banaba websiteand the Banaban Message Board you might see my article very soon. I'm still learning.

We are so blessed that we can have such free assistance from abroad. So that's all from Rabi.

We'll get in touch with upcoming events.

Tia boo moa.

Biara, Rabi

RABI NEWS UPDATE

News Date Issue 30 August 2006

LAUTOKA ROTARY AND BLUE LAGOON CRUISES DONATE BOOKS FOR RABI SCHOOLS:

In August 2006 Blue Lagoon Cruises arrived on Rabi as part of their ‘Historical & Cultural Dateline Cruise’ program to visit Tabiang Village for a day tour of the island. The passengers were given a traditional Banaban welcome and cultural dance programme.

Molly Amon, Executive Director of Rabi Council of Leaders advised that the Rotary Club of Lautoka donated 51 cartons of school text books for the island and a duplicating machine for Tabiang Primary School. A big thanks (ko raba) to Lautoka Rotary Club and also Blue Lagoon Cruises who brought the shipment to Rabi free of charge.